RJ Events at Rutgers School of Law
There are two events happening at Rutgers in March and in April that are directly related to reproductive justice and women’s rights worldwide. The first one is being hosted by the Rutgers Women’s Law Forum. It is a screening of Mrs. Goundo’s Daughter, which is a documentary about a woman’s struggle to obtain asylum in the American immigration system. If she is deported to Mali, she will have to bring her daughter with her, who would then be subject to Female Genital Mutilation, or excision. Approximately 90% of women and girls in Mali are subject to FGM, some as young as two days old, which can lead to infection, reproductive problems, and death. It is an ancient tradition, linked by some to Islam, that many people are fighting against in local communities, at the statewide level, and across the world. The movie Mrs. Goundo’s Daughter explores not only the cultural and social issues surrounding FGM in Mali, but also reviews the legal process by which Mrs. Goundo attempts to protect her daughter from FGM.
We are screening Mrs. Goundo’s Daughter all week in order to have as many people see it as possible. On Wednesday, 3/10 we are showing it from 2:30 – 3:45 and from 6 – 7:30. On Thursday, 3/11 we are showing it from 12:00 – 1:00. After Spring Break, we will be showing it on Monday 3/22 from 12:35 – 1:45 and from 4:00 – 5:30, and on Tuesday 3/23 from 4:00 – 5:00. Finally, on Wednesday, 3/24, Barbara Attie will be at Rutgers to discuss the film. One of the filmmakers of Mrs. Goundo’s Daughter, she will be here to discuss the film and her experiences making it, the immigration system, and the tradition of FGM in Mali and what is being done to stop it.
The second event happening at Rutgers Newark is an panel on reproductive rights scheduled for April 14th. Five panelists have been scheduled to speak about their experiences as lawyers and their work as activists for women’s reproductive freedom. Scheduled are Lisa Malley, the Executive Director of Choices in Childbirth, Katherine Jack, Staff Attorney for National Advocates for Pregnant Women, Rebeca Four from the Birth Network of Hudson County, NJ, Jeanne McMahon from Leche de Mama, and Stacey Gregg from the “From Worst to First” Campaign. There may be two other speakers as well. The panelists will discuss many of the problems in the reproductive justice field today, and what we can do to advance the issue legally and politically. A Q&A session will follow after the panel.
For more information on these events, or how to reach Rutgers Newark through public transit (it’s super easy from NYC or Philadelphia) email Mandy.v@gmail.com.
Mandy-Maria Sheridan